Delivering health and mental health care services to children in family foster care after welfare and health care reform

As the 20th century draws to a close, fundamental changes in the organizati on, financing, and delivery of health care and welfare services, principall y directed at poor families, are likely to result in an increased number of children entering out-of-home care. These children typically have signific ant physical, mental health, and developmental problems. Whether the qualit y of health care services they receive will improve as a result of health c are reform efforts and new approaches to service delivery remains to be see n. This article addresses some of the major changes wrought by welfare and health care reform and describes the essential features of a health care sy stem that can meet the special needs of children in care.